forestall

/fɔːˈstɔːl/ (bre, ipa) · /fɔːrˈstɔːl/ (ame, ipa) · /fȯr-ˈstȯl/ (ame, mw)

forestall — verb

  • forestallpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • forestallshe / she / it
  • forestalledpast simple
  • forestalling-ing form

1. to stop an event or action before it begins because you moved earlier than other

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to stop an event or action before it begins because you moved earlier than other people

例句

The mayor forestalled protests by meeting market traders before dawn.

forestall + reaction by + verb-ing first

Noor apologized at once to forestall a longer argument at dinner.

forestall + unwanted result

同義詞
  • prevent

    the everyday and much more common verb for stopping something from happening

  • avert

    often used for danger, crisis, or disaster that is successfully kept away

  • head off

    more informal and often used for blocking trouble before it grows

反義詞
  • cause

    means making the event happen instead of stopping it

  • allow

    focuses on letting the action go ahead

文法句型

forestall + problem/protest/flooding

forestall + reaction + by + verb-ing

forestall + somebody from + verb-ing

用法筆記

Often used for stopping trouble, criticism, or some other unwanted result by moving earlier than people expect. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense focuses on blocking the event itself, not simply getting ahead of it.

常見錯誤

❌We forestalled for the storm with extra food.
✅We prepared for the storm with extra food.
💡forestall means acting early to stop a result, not simply getting ready.

2. to deal with an expected question, reaction, or problem before it fully develops

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to deal with an expected question, reaction, or problem before it fully develops

例句

Christopher answered the tax question first to forestall more confusion later.

answer first to forestall a likely reaction

Linh added a map to the email to forestall wrong turns.

forestall + practical problem

同義詞
  • anticipate

    focuses more on expecting something than on blocking it

  • pre-empt

    stresses moving first so others cannot respond or act before you

  • prepare for

    broader and can mean simple readiness without heading anything off

反義詞
  • react to

    means responding after the issue appears instead of before

  • wait for

    suggests doing nothing until the event or reaction arrives

文法句型

forestall + confusion/question/gossip

forestall + problem + by + verb-ing

forestall + criticism by + explaining first

用法筆記

Often appears when someone answers a concern, solves a small practical issue, or explains something before others react. Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is getting ahead of the likely response or difficulty.

常見錯誤

❌I forestalled that people would complain.
✅I forestalled complaints by explaining the plan first.
💡forestall normally takes the expected reaction or problem as its object, not a that-clause.